News Releases

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• 5/21/2025 DEEP Announces Alcohol Ban for Nine Recreation Areas

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has imposed a temporary alcohol ban for nine state recreation areas. This ban is in effect from Wednesday, May 21, through Monday, August 18, at the following locations:

• 6/27/2025 DEEP Seeks Public Input on Draft 2025 Connecticut Wildlife Action Plan

  (HARTFORD) — Do you care about Connecticut’s native wildlife, fish, and plants? If so, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) would love to hear from you! DEEP has drafted an updated Wildlife Action Plan to help guide conservation in Connecticut over the next decade and encourages residents to review the draft Plan and submit comments. Let DEEP know how wildlife and nature matter to you: visit the Wildlife Action Plan Draft webpage for the draft plan and input form. The 30-day public comment period will end on July 27th.

• 4/25/2025 Amtrak and DEEP Open New Fishing Pier at Eagle Landing State Park in Haddam

  (HARTFORD) – A brand-new pier at Eagle Landing State Park in Haddam is now open for anglers, nature lovers, and other members of the public to enjoy scenic views, fishing, and more. Built by Amtrak and owned by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), the permanent pier now provides an alternate fishing location while the Ferry Landing Pier/Boardwalk in Old Lyme is closed to make way for Amtrak’s construction of a new Connecticut River Bridge between Old Lyme and Old Saybrook.

• 1/21/2025 DEEP Launches Matching Funds for Community Resilience Projects as Part of Its Climate Resilience Fund

  (HARTFORD, CT) —The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is pleased to announce that it is accepting applications for a new matching funds grant program to support Connecticut communities pursuing funds through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program. DEEP's new matching grants program is a component of the DEEP Climate Resilience Fund, which helps communities to invest in projects needed to address vulnerabilities to extreme weather and reduce impacts to critical infrastructure.

• 5/16/2025 Visitors to Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield Can Purchase Advance Parking Reservations for Weekends and Holidays

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) once again will offer an online reservation system for parking at Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield. Parking passes for holidays and weekends may be purchased up to 14 days prior to arrival to help improve the experience for visitors and reduce traffic congestion near the park.

• 4/28/2025 DEEP EnCon Police Make Arrest in Fatal May 2024 Candlewood Lake Boating Incident

  (HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today that DEEP’s Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police arrested Robert McDonald, 23, of Flushing, New York, for a fatal boating incident that took place on Candlewood Lake on May 29th, 2024.

• 5/8/2025 Visitors May Now Reserve All-Terrain Wheelchairs to Enjoy the Outdoors at Seven Connecticut State Parks

  (HARTFORD) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is excited to announce the expansion of its All-Terrain Wheelchair Program to seven Connecticut State Park and Forest locations. Five locations were available beginning last fall and starting today, users can make reservations online to use the all-terrain wheelchairs for free beginning June 7 at a total of seven locations.

• 5/14/2025 DEEP Launches New Online Tool to Assist Solar Siting

  (HARTFORD)— The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today that it has launched a new online tool that will enable a more transparent and efficient siting and permitting process for large-scale renewable energy projects, while at the same time protecting Connecticut’s environmental and natural resources.

• 5/15/2025 DEEP Celebrates National Safe Boating Week

  (HARTFORD) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) joins partners across the country to remind boaters of the importance of safe and responsible boating during National Safe Boating Week. The seven-day campaign will occur May 17 to May 23, the week preceding Memorial Day weekend, which is the unofficial kickoff to the summer boating season in Connecticut.

• 8/6/2025 MEDIA ADVISORY: DEEP Fish with CARE and No Child Left Inside® Offer a FREE Saltwater Fishing Day on Saturday, August 9

  ParkConneCT Program to Provide Free Bus Transportation from Norwich for a Limited Number of Pre-Registered Guests

• 4/8/2025 ADVISORY-DEEP Lowers Caution Issued for CT River Users Following East Windsor Sewer Line Repair

  (HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is updating its advisory related to the sanitary sewer break that occurred in East Windsor.

• 1/9/2025 DEEP Announces over $1 million in Federal Grant Funds Available for Clean Vehicle and Marine Projects

  (HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has announced the availability of more than $1 million in federal funds for grants to local and state governments, as well as businesses and organizations who want to replace large, older diesel engines and equipment with electric vehicle equivalents or newer, cleaner-burning engines.

• 1/16/2025 DEEP Launches 2025 Seasonal Staff Recruitment

  (HARTFORD) — Looking for a fun seasonal job this year? Apply to one of the hundreds of exciting seasonal opportunities at the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)! These opportunities typically combine spending time outdoors, conserving and providing access to the state’s most beautiful natural areas, and serving as an introduction to potential careers at DEEP or other environmental fields. Compensation ranges from $16.35 to $20.00 per hour for most positions and starts at $20.00 per hour for lifeguards.

• 4/22/2025 Governor Lamont Announces $10 Million in Grants Awarded for Continued Broadband Expansion

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today the second round of awards in the state’s ConneCTed Communities Grant Program. Totaling $9.9 million, these funds will be used by internet service providers to build out broadband infrastructure, which will serve an estimated 3,802 residences and businesses in 44 towns and cities.

• 1/28/2025 DEEP Now Accepting Applications for $144M in Broadband Infrastructure Funding

  (HARTFORD, CT)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today that it is now accepting applications from pre-qualified providers for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. This major milestone is another key step in the process of bringing affordable access to broadband internet to Connecticut residents, and reflects an enormous effort and coordination across multiple state and federal agencies.